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Are you tired of your current internet provider? Looking for a less complicated option? T-Mobile's 5G fixed wireless alternative might be for you.
Trey Paul Senior Editor
Trey Paul is a CNET senior editor covering broadband. His 20+ years of experience as a writer and editor include time at CNET's sister site, Allconnect, and working with clients like Yahoo!, Google, The New York Times and Choice Hotels. An avid movie fan, Trey's career also includes being a film and TV critic while pursuing a degree in New York.
Expertise Home internet and broadband, including plans, providers, internet speeds and connection types. Movies and film studies. Credentials
- Master's degree in Cinema Studies from NYU and interviews with Conan O'Brien, Stan Lee and some of his biggest Star Trek childhood idols
See full bio
Trey Paul
8 min read
7.4
T-Mobile Home Internet
Like
- No contracts
- No data caps
- Simple, affordable pricing
- Aggressively competitive with its terms and perks
Don't like
- Speeds may vary
- Max download speeds don't match fiber and cable
- Home internet customers deprioritized over mobile
Product details
- Price range $50 per month ($30 for eligible T-Mobile Magenta Max customers)
- Speed range 33 - 182Mbps
- Connection Fixed wireless
- Highlights Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts, no additional fees
T-Mobile has to be feeling pretty pleased about its5G home internet offering. The number of subscribers keeps rising -- it's up to over 3 million customers, per the company's Q1 2023 report. At the end of 2022, the Federal Communications Commissionincluded T-Mobile Home Internet as one of only 11 fixed internet providers able to cover over 5% of the US population. Earlier in the year, the company made a splash with the American Customer Satisfaction Index's 2022 survey results, which placed the newcomer second among all national internet service providers. Not too shabby.
T-Mobile Home Internet started rolling out as a pilot program early in 2021, and one of my (now former) CNET colleagues, Rick Broida, was one of the first to give it a test run. By April 2021, T-Mobile announced it had launched its home broadband service nationwide. A short year later, it proclaimed it hadexpanded its availability to 40 million households, and CNET's Eli Blumenthal gave it a try.
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We've been aware of T-Mobile's desire to use 5G to break into the home internet gamefor quite some time. But now that the company's home broadband offering is established, what does that mean for you? Does 5G home internet offer something new? Is T-Mobile Home Internet a viable option to replace your current ISP?
Locating local internet providers
First, the price is right: T-Mobile charges $50 a month (and that's reduced to $30 for Magenta Max mobile customers). On top of that, you don't have to worry about long-term contracts or data caps. Pretty sweet, right?
Definitely, but it's early days yet. Although T-Mobile Home Internet is currently available to over 50 million homes across the US, many locations and addresses can't get it. While 5G is the marquee player on this bill, T-Mobile relies on 4G LTE to help expand its home internet service area. This means that of the 5G home internet providers, T-Mobile will offer the slowest speeds on average. But let's dig into the details.
Locating local internet providers
T-Mobile Home Internet: Where can you get it?
When discussing any ISP, it's always good to begin by answering the fundamental question: Can I get this service? T-Mobile Home Internet is available to over 50 million households across the country. That makes it the US's most widely available 5G home internet service. By comparison, Verizon's 5G Home Internet service has rolled out in approximately 900 markets but is available to around 40 million homes. In the meantime, T-Mobile is open to signups in over 600 cities but more households, many within rural areas.
Check the T-Mobile Home Internet eligibility pageto determine if your address is serviceable.
When will T-Mobile Home Internet get to my area?
As mentioned, T-Mobile is the most widely available 5G home internet service. But when you consider that US Census data puts the total number of households in the country at over 124 million, about 68% of households remain ineligible for T-Mobile Home Internet.
A T-Mobile spokesperson didn't have specific details on expansion plans but highlighted that more than 10 million households in the current footprint are within rural America. Additionally, there's a focus on expanding access for small towns and communities. For those outside the current availability window, T-Mobile's site mentions that expansion could take six months or more and allows interested parties to put their name on the list for down the road.
That said, T-Mobile also announced a Home Internet Lite service, open to anyone within a T-Mobile service area. While that broadens the company's availability footprint, it wouldn't be right to include this as part of T-Mobile Home Internet, as Lite has a 100GB data cap.
T-Mobile Home Internet See at T-Mobile
T-Mobile Home Internet: Plans and prices
Simplicity is one of the biggest things that jumps out at me when I look at T-Mobile Home Internet. There isn't an array of tiers and options from which to choose because there's one plan and one plan only.
T-Mobile Home Internet pricing
| Plan | Max speeds | Monthly price | Equipment fee | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 33-182Mbps download, 6-23Mbps upload | $50 ($30 for eligible Magenta Max mobile customers) | None | None | None |
One size fits all
There aren't many qualifiers when discussing T-Mobile Home Internet plans. It's one plan, one price and no additional fees. The premise of 5G home internet is that, unlike typical internet connection types(including coaxial cable lines, fiber-optic internet and digital subscriber line), you're not reliant on underground constructions and deployments to get you connected. Instead, it's a fixed wireless service that provides you with a router that connects to a cellular signal.
T-Mobile provides its Wi-Fi Gateway device, a combination modem and Wi-Fi 6 router compatible with T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G networks. As you can see from the chart, the only variable is the average download and upload speed you'll experience. At the bare minimum, T-Mobile says all eligible households will see average download speeds of 33 megabits per second. Depending on your location and the placement of the T-Mobile Gateway, you might see download speeds as high as 182Mbps or more.
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T-Mobile Home Internet: Why isn't it faster?
The hope and promise of 5G and its capabilities have not yet been fully realized. My colleagueEli Blumenthal has wonderfully detailed the basics of 5G and how not all "5G" is the same. In summary: Faster 5G speeds come with shorter ranges. The farther the distance, the less speed on the top end.
For T-Mobile to hit the road running with availability to over 30 million households at its launch, it needed to lean on its 4G LTE network and its growing 5G network. That's why my CNET colleagues averaged just over 40Mbps download speeds with T-Mobile Home Internet, and some households may get up to just over 100Mbps. Anecdotally, we've heard of some users seeing download speeds as high as 300Mbps. Still, T-Mobile'sFAQ sectionpromises customers will "see typical download speeds between 33-182Mbps." So, that may be plenty of speed for many but don't expect the higher download speeds you might get with fiber internet or cable plans. At least not yet.
T-Mobile Home Internet: No hidden fees (with one exception)
One of the significant wins for T-Mobile Home Internet is its straightforwardness. There's no pesky small print. ISPs are notorious for their hidden fees and trap pricing -- they try to lure you in with enticing promo prices but then stick you with a larger bill after those terms expire. That's not the case here.
T-Mobile Home Internet features no data caps, so you don't have to fear data overage fees. There's no equipment fee for the Gateway device, so you don't have to figure out an additional monthly cost to tack on to your regular bill. It also requires no annual service contracts, so you don't have any early termination fees looming over your head. These are all appealing aspects of this service and make it very enticing to try T-Mobile Home Internet if it's available in your area.
All that said, there is one additional fee you'll have to pay once at the start of your service: a $35 "device connection charge" similar to the activation fee you pay with many ISPs.
T-Mobile Home Internet: Promotional offers
In addition to its consumer-friendly simplicity, T-Mobile is sweetening the pot for potential customers.
First, families with eligible Magenta Max plans can save $20 monthly. T-Mobile also offers new customers six months of SiriusXM (a $66 value) and a full year of the Spanish-language streaming service ViX Plus. Third, you can subscribe to Philo TV for $15 a month for one year ($10 off monthly). Fourth, home internet customers can participate in T-Mobile Tuesdays, the company's weekly discount and free perks promotion.
Additionally, T-Mobile boasts a Price Lock guarantee, which means no rate changes for as long as you remain a customer. It also runs a "Worry-free Test Drive" promotion, during which customers can try the service for 15 days with a money-back guarantee. Also, T-Mobile is offering customers $50 back in a virtual prepaid Mastercard if they switch over to T-Mobile Home Internet from another provider. Lastly, if customers are switching from a provider midcontract, T-Mobile will pay up to $750 in termination fees. That's impressive.
T-Mobile Home Internet vs. 5G competitors
Regarding availability, T-Mobile is ahead of its 5G home internet competitors, Starry and Verizon. Starry is available in five major metropolitan areas: Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, DC. Verizon is available in more cities than T-Mobile (currently 900) but is behind T-Mobile's total households covered.
However, Starry and Verizon have the upper hand on average download speeds. Starry customers typically see consistent download speeds of 200Mbps, and Verizon's 5G Home Internet plans average around 300Mbps. What Starry and Verizon have given up regarding widespread availability, they currently make up for in the average speeds they deliver.
All three 5G home internet providers share freedom from all the hidden fees and pricing games that many cable and fiber ISPs play. With 5G, the monthly rate is the monthly rate. There are no added fees, equipment rental charges, data caps or binding annual contracts.
So, how good is T-Mobile Home Internet, really?
Regarding 5G, we're much closer to the beginning than the end of where everything will shake out. If it's speed you're after, T-Mobile's 5G home internet service might not impress you if you have other cable and fiber internet providers available at your address. But if you're in a rural or less developed area where DSL or satellite was your only previous option, T-Mobile will feel lightning fast by comparison.
Overall, T-Mobile has positioned itself as a viable option in the home internet space, making it an intriguing player to watch as it expands its 5G infrastructure. If nothing else, since it demands no contract commitment, it's an opportunity to try a different option and maybe even use it as leverage to negotiate with your current internet service provider. Hopefully, the more options we have as consumers, our internet service will improve in the long run.
T-Mobile Home Internet FAQs
Are there data caps with T-Mobile Home Internet?
No. T-Mobile Home Internet features unlimited data. Customers will not have any potential data overage fees or charges hanging over their heads. That said, T-Mobile Home Internet customers could find their service slowed in cases where the company prioritizes its mobile users over its fixed wireless customers.
Does T-Mobile Home Internet come with a router?
Yes. One of the appealing aspects of T-Mobile Home Internet is that its monthly fee -- $50 a month if you use AutoPay and $30 a month for eligible Magenta Maxmobile customers -- includes a 5G Gateway (a modem/router combo device). The T-Mobile equipment lease is included in the one fee, and all that's required is that you return the device when you end service with T-Mobile.
Is T-Mobile Home Internet faster than satellite internet?
For the most part, yes, but not unequivocally. As T-Mobile says in its Open Internet policy, "many factors affect the speed and performance that customers experience, including … proximity to a cell site, weather and the surrounding terrain," so your download speeds, which average between 33-182Mbps, are not guaranteed. But customers should see download speeds higher than those typically achieved by HughesNet (average of 25Mbps) and Viasat (12-100Mbps). The Starlinkplans boast a higher range (20-250Mbps) but are not as widely available as T-Mobile Home Internet. It's also much more expensive -- $90-$120 a month, plus a one-time equipment fee of $599.
FAQs
How can I make my T-Mobile home internet stronger? ›
- Turn off equipment from your previous provider. Before you turn on your gateway and set up your T-Mobile Internet network, turn off any equipment you have from a previous provider to avoid interference.
- Test in multiple locations. ...
- Move the gateway away from other devices.
T-Mobile utilizes a wireless 5G Gateway to deliver 5G Home Internet to your home. T-Mobile's 5G Gateway Device works in tandem with Wi-Fi 6, which is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology . Once you sign up for a plan, the 5G Gateway is delivered to your home.
How many connections can'T-Mobile home internet handle? ›How many devices can I connect to my T-Mobile home internet? T-Mobile's internet gateway can connect up to 64 devices to your T-Mobile home internet connection.
Can you add a router to T-Mobile Home internet? ›Third-party routers can be connected to a T-Mobile gateway using the ethernet port. You will see a Wi-Fi network broadcast by both the gateway and the third-party router. The Wi-Fi network broadcast can be disabled in the T-Mobile app.
Is T-Mobile home internet fast enough for streaming? ›T-Mobile 5G Home Internet customers receive consistent broadband speeds and see typical download speeds between 72 – 245 Mbps, which is great speed for streaming video, surfing the web, working from home and most types of online gaming. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above this range.
Does T-Mobile have an internet booster? ›Get to know your signal booster
The device includes a window unit, which receives T-Mobile signal (minimum of 1 bar 3G, 4G, or 4G LTE), and a separate coverage unit, which rebroadcasts the signal in your home. Receives T-Mobile 3G, 4G, or 4G LTE signal from outside, and sends it to the coverage unit.
Wi-Fi has a limited range, cellular data does not.
Wi-Fi only works within the range of your router. With your Verizon Wireless plan, you can access the Internet on your phone or tablet even when you're out of Wi-Fi range. And those fast 4G LTE data speeds now cover more than 98 percent of the US population.
Your internet can be slow for many reasons. Your internet plan may be too slow for your needs, your modem or router may be out of date, your router may be on the fritz, or you might have too many people using your Wi-Fi at the same time. We can help you identify where the problem is and how to fix it.
Is T-Mobile Home internet Unlimited? ›Regardless of your speed, you get unlimited data by default—no extra charge—so you can stream and download as much as you like without worrying about charges or throttling.
Why is my T-Mobile Home internet not working? ›Check for app updates in the Google Play store or Apple App store. 2. Make sure the gateway is securely plugged in and powered on. 3. Check that your device is connected to the gateway's Wi-Fi network.
How many devices is too many for internet? ›
When discussing how to know how many devices are connected to a WiFi router, the general rule is to limit connections to a home network, for instance, to about 45. However, this recommended number for router device limits varies widely depending on the task each device performs.
What routers are compatible with T-Mobile Internet? ›| Router Manufacturer | Router Name |
|---|---|
| Motorola / Arris | Pace 5268 AC (AT&T) |
| Netgear | AC1600 R6250 AC1750 R6400 N600 WNDR3400 |
| Netgear | AC2350 Nighthawk X4 R7500 AC2350 Nighthawk X4 R7800 Nighthawk XR500 |
| Netgear | N600 WN3500RP Extender |
Most Mesh solutions work with T-Mobile Home Internet gateway and are ready to go with minimal configuration.
Does T-Mobile Home Internet router have a Ethernet port? ›The gateway has two (2) Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. Use an Ethernet cable to connect devices that don't have Wi-Fi adapters or capabilities. The Devices LCD screen on top of the gateway shows the number of devices currently connected to the network by way of either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
How fast is T-Mobile home Network? ›Internet Speeds and Data
The internet speeds that T-Mobile advertises fall anywhere between an average of 35 Mbps to 115 Mbps. These aren't lighting fast internet speeds, but if you only need simple coverage for streaming and surfing the web, it could be an affordable choice for your home.
| Activity | Recommended speed |
|---|---|
| Streaming SD video (480p) | 3 Mbps |
| Streaming HD video (1080p) | 5 Mbps |
| Streaming 4K video (2160p) | 25 Mbps |
| Streaming music | 1–10 Mbps |
For a single line only, plus taxes and fees. Get unlimited talk, text, and data at an unbeatable price. All on a network that works for you.
What band is T-Mobile 5G home Internet? ›Frequencies that can provide UC 5G: Band n41 (2.5 GHz) Band n258 (24 GHz) Band n260 (39 GHz)
Which is better mobile internet or broadband? ›Mobile broadband offers better portability. With a separate battery-operated router, mobile broadband is the most suitable service for using the internet on the move. It uses the same cellular networks as your phone, allowing you to get more coverage on the go compared to fixed wireless internet connections.
Is mobile Internet as good as WiFi? ›Mobile broadband at home: the key points
Mobile broadband can be faster than some home broadband services. You need a strong network signal if you want fast speeds. Some mobile broadband deals have unlimited data, and this is recommended if you're using it at home. You can use mobile broadband with a Wi-Fi router.
Is home internet the same as broadband? ›
Essentially WiFi is a wireless connection in your house or business, that connects your phone or computer to your modem/router, while Broadband is the actual internet connection that your modem/router uses to send and receive data from your house to the wider world.
Does bad weather affect T-Mobile internet? ›Even within coverage areas and with broadband-capable devices, network changes, traffic volume, outages, technical limitations, signal strength, obstructions, weather, and other conditions may impact speeds and service availability.
Why does T-Mobile internet buffer so much? ›T-Mobile prioritizes on-device traffic over traffic sent to and from devices connected to a mobile hotspot. Data cap. If you've exceeded your internet plan's data cap, many ISPs will slow down your internet. Even so-called unlimited plans have soft caps that result in slower internet after you've passed the threshold.
Why does T-Mobile internet slow down at night? ›Slower internet speeds at night are often the due to network congestion. Just like rush hour traffic, when everyone uses the internet at the same time, the network's limited bandwidth struggles to keep up.
Can you add an antenna to T Mobile Home Internet? ›Once you've tested your baseline internet speeds, you're ready to install external antennas. The T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway doesn't have any external antenna ports, but it's possible to access the internal ports and install adapters that allow you to connect antennas.
How many home Internet customers does T Mobile have? ›T‑Mobile Delivers Record Customer Growth, Adding an Expected Industry‑Best 6.4 Million Postpaid Customers and 2.0 Million Broadband Customers in 2022. (1) Industry leading claims based on industry consensus expectations. AT&T Inc. historically does not disclose postpaid account net additions.
Does T-Mobile Home internet slow down data? ›T-Mobile does not throttle home internet speeds. However, they may de-prioritize your data during congestion if you have an unlimited data plan. This means that your data speeds may be slower than other customers with lower data caps plans. You can check your data speeds using the T-Mobile Speed Test app.
How much is T-Mobile internet after 12 months? ›| Category | T-Mobile |
|---|---|
| Starting price | $50/mo.* |
| Price after 12 mos. | $50/mo.* |
| Max download speed | Up to 182 Mbps |
| Max upload speed | 23 Mbps |
If I move, can I take my WiFi Gateway with me? Yes, customers are required to call T-Mobile prior to moving to confirm that their Wifi Gateway will work at their new address. If T-Mobile Home Internet service is available at the new address, you can use it as soon as you move in.
Why is 5G so slow T-Mobile? ›Technically. So, why are some 5G connections so slow? The first, and most impactful, reason is that the far-reaching 5G signals that have powered the vast majority of carrier rollouts in the US – especially from AT&T and, to a lesser extent, T-Mobile – have used low-band carrier frequencies.
How do I change my T-Mobile Home internet settings? ›
Select Basic > Network > Wi-Fi, then choose 2.4 GHZ or 5 GHZ at the top to view and change these Wi-Fi settings. You must change 2.4 and 5 GHZ settings separately. Select Save if you make any changes.
How do I know if my WiFi is overloaded? ›Turn on every device that uses the internet at the same time, and check load times for an internet search. This will help determine the router's overall capacity. A slow and sluggish load time response most likely indicates router overload.
Can I have too much connected to my internet? ›When multiple devices use the same network, overcrowding occurs as they all compete with each other to connect to the same router. This means low quality or buffering during streaming, latency during gaming, and frustratingly slow browsing speeds.
How many devices does the average household have connected to WiFi? ›On average, U.S. households now have a total of 22 connected devices, down from 25 in 2021.
What type of Internet connection is T-Mobile Home Internet? ›T-Mobile utilizes a wireless 5G Gateway to deliver 5G Home Internet to your home. T-Mobile's 5G Gateway Device works in tandem with Wi-Fi 6, which is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology . Once you sign up for a plan, the 5G Gateway is delivered to your home.
How can I improve my T-Mobile signal strength? ›Restart your device and check for signal bars. Change Wi-Fi Calling preferences to Cellular Preferred or Cellular Only to prevent Wi-Fi Calling issues from interfering with the signal. Turn off Wi-Fi to make sure you're using the T-Mobile network. Set the device Network mode to Auto.
Does T-Mobile sell WiFi routers? ›Our T-Mobile 5G Wi-Fi Gateway packs Wi-Fi 6 technology into a sleek design, and it's compatible with our nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks.
Where to put router for tmobile home internet? ›Place your gateway close to a window or high up on an upper floor or bookshelf. Use the T-Mobile Internet app to get help finding the ideal location for your device, check signal strength, monitor connected devices, update your network name/password, and more!
Can I use a WiFi extender with T-Mobile Home Internet? ›I use a Netgear EX2700 WiFi extender and can tell you it works perfectly with the T-Mobile Arcadyan KVD21 5G Gateway. It's inexpensive and works very well.
Can you connect Google Nest to tmobile home Internet? ›A Google Nest Wifi mesh network works with your T-Mobile Internet gateway to spread signal through your home. Learn more and find helpful resources below.
How can I boost my T-Mobile home Internet signal? ›
- Turn off equipment from your previous provider. Before you turn on your gateway and set up your T-Mobile Internet network, turn off any equipment you have from a previous provider to avoid interference.
- Test in multiple locations. ...
- Move the gateway away from other devices.
The T-Mobile High-Speed Internet Gateway (which combines the capabilities of a router and a modem), is delivered directly to their home, and it's easy to install. Just plug it in, turn it on, and you're ready to go - streaming, zooming, and playing.
What is the gateway IP for T-Mobile Home Internet? ›T-Mobile LTE Wi-Fi Gateway TM-RTL0102
Open your browser. In the address bar, enter http://192.168.1.1 and press Enter. Enter your login information and choose Login. Note: the default login information can be found on the bottom of the LTE Wi-Fi Gateway .
- Turn things off and on again. ...
- Move your router to a better location. ...
- Switch your Wi-Fi frequency band. ...
- Adjust your router's antennas. ...
- Extend your Wi-Fi network. ...
- Prune unnecessary connections. ...
- Change your Wi-Fi frequency channel. ...
- Upgrade to faster internet.
Once you've tested your baseline internet speeds, you're ready to install external antennas. The T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway doesn't have any external antenna ports, but it's possible to access the internal ports and install adapters that allow you to connect antennas.
Does T-Mobile have 5G signal boosters? ›SureCall is proud to offer T-Mobile 4G/5G signal boosters designed to improve reception at home, in the office, or on the road so you can enjoy great connection no matter where you are. Find a customized booster to meet your needs today.
What causes poor signal strength? ›Averse weather, interference from building materials or terrain, distance from your nearest cell tower, or network overload can all contribute to poor signal.
Will cell signal booster increase Internet speed? ›A signal booster will boost your mobile data speeds, in addition to the benefits of faster texts and crystal-clear calls. Plus, cellular signals travel farther than WiFi, so if you lack a cable connection, this is a much cheaper, more reliable option for fast internet.
How can I increase my broadband speed? ›- 1) Carry out a speed test on your line. ...
- 2) Talk to your ISP. ...
- 3) Update your browser. ...
- 4) Some electrical devices can cause electrical interference to your router. ...
- 5) Consider upgrading your router to the latest model. ...
- 6) Password-protect your broadband.
- Assess your bandwidth. ...
- Check your speed. ...
- Reboot your router. ...
- Check your router's location. ...
- Consider a mesh network for multiple devices. ...
- Check your wiring. ...
- Find and unload internet hijackers. ...
- Switch to a less crowded channel.
Why is my internet so bad at home? ›
It might be because of an outdated router or a less-than-ideal router location. You might be able to solve slow speeds with an easy fix, like upgrading to a mesh network (which also has to be set up in the right spot) or simply restarting your modem and router.